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The phone rings. You answer the call. During the conversation, you need to access a file in an office down the hallway. Do you:

a. Hang up on the caller and assure them you'll call back once you have found the file?

b. Ask them to hold; place the handset on the desk, walk down the hall, visit with co-workers along the way, find the file, go back to your desk, and hope the caller is still on the line?

c. Continue the conversation as you walk down the hall, grab the file, and walk back to your desk?

If you have a wireless headset, you can answer "c" with confidence! Corded headsets are the workhorse of the office headset world. Contact centers and offices may find that it's best for their employees to stay close to their desks when on the phone. In other situations, and increasingly more common (57 percent in a 2012 study), organizations have found that wireless headsets give workers freedom to conduct their jobs most efficiently and effectively.

Jabra and YouGov questioned more than 11,000 mobile and office workers in 12 countries about their office environments, and which office tools are most valuable for them. The study found that headsets increase overall work efficiency and job performance, with 75 percent of calls being answered when wireless headsets are used.

Workers using the traditional desk phone and handset "say they feel hindered in performing regular office tasks and would have the potential to be more efficient if they were equipped with a headset at work." High sound quality and comfort are key priorities for people using wireless headsets.

Wireless headsets are ideal for employees who need the freedom to roam from their desk without having to miss or terminate a call.

Organizations recognize the benefits of headsets that move with you, enhancing employee efficiency and productivity. Making the most of your time, and money, makes sense for any size organization, which is why we love wireless!

Interested in experiencing complete wireless freedom?

Here's what you'll need: 1. Desk phone, soft phone, or mobile phone

2. Wireless headset – With so many options and connectivity types available, it's important to consult with an Avcomm headset expert to be sure you choose the headset that best fits your environment and requirements.

3. EHS cable or Remote Handset Lifter—This is an optional add-on device which alerts you of an incoming call by sending a tone into the headset. You can answer and end calls by simply pressing a button on the headset, all while being up to 450ft.* away from your desk! *Actual headset range is dependent upon model of headset and user environment.

If we can help answer any questions you might have about wireless headsets, please let us know! Our dedicated team has been trained to discover and suggest the best solutions for your unique needs.

Here at Avcomm Solutions, Inc., we keep things simple. Are we giving you, our customer, what you need? We sure hope so.

Finding the very best solutions to your headset and conference phone dilemmas gives meaning to our days. From the home office in the center of the U.S., our customer care team of Sara Diaz and Carey McCoy work hard to give you answers, great products and fair prices.

How do we manage this? In a few ways, such as:

Our Midwestern Hospitality
Clichéd? Of course. True? You bet! Neighbors looking out for neighbors is a common theme around here, and one that we at Avcomm embrace. We’re always on the lookout for products and services that make sense for you. Once your products reach you, we expect to continue the relationship by answering any questions you may have about product setup, assisting with technical concerns and warranty repairs – and, of course, your feedback is always appreciated!

Strong Partnerships
By working with the best manufacturers in the headset and conference phone world, Avcomm Solutions offers products from Jabra, Konftel, Plantronics, Sennheiser and Yamaha. Partnerships with these companies allow us to get the essential support, resources, and information to you when you need it. You can rely on our expert advice!

A Commitment to You
We understand that you want to do your very best for your customers. We know that you want to keep your employees happy and productive. Sure, it’s a balancing act, but when you get it right, the results can be transcendent. We have great products that make communication clear and simple, and we’re here for you.

In our previous post, we shared the three main types of microphones found in office and contact center headsets: see Part 1 here. The type of microphone you choose depends on your work environment and job requirements. Another important element in audio quality is the placement of the microphone to assure that your voice is heard loud and clear.

According to Plantronics, the single biggest real-world cause of poor transmit audio is not technical; rather, it is poor microphone placement by the user. As microphones offer higher degrees of noise cancelling, they demand greater proximity and consistency of microphone placement so that the talker does not become part of the very background that is being cancelled.

Proper microphone placement is particularly important in directional microphones with noise-cancelling properties. These microphones reject background noise and bring the user's voice to the foreground. The microphone boom should be adjusted so that it is 2 finger widths from your bottom lip.

1. Flex boom models have flexible booms that are easy to bend and can be reshaped until they are near the user's mouth. Here, the Jabra PRO 9450 Mono Headset with Flex Boom is pictured.

2. Fixed boom arm models rotate from the receiver, and should not be bent. The boom arm should point directly at the user's mouth. Pictured here is Sennheiser's SC 660 USB CTRL Century Series Ultra Noise Cancelling Duo USB Headset with In-Line Call Controls.

Jabra reminds new headset users that they won't need to talk as loudly as when speaking into a handheld phone. When the microphone has been positioned correctly close to the mouth, your voice will be picked up clearly – even at a lower volume.

Headsets help you to communicate clearly and effectively. Research the right microphone for the work you do, and purchase a high quality commercial headset that meets your requirements. Take that extra step of assuring correct placement of that microphone with a simple adjustment and your caller will thank you!

Office headsets, used for desk phones, computers and mobile phones, can keep your hands free, allowing you to talk while you work, type and even run errands! Choosing the right office headset can be an overwhelming task; by simplifying your choices and clarifying the options, we find the best solution for you. Part of the decision-making process is selecting a headset with a microphone that provides optimal communication.

There are three main types of microphones available on the market today. We've laid each style out for you below, according to their level of background noise-cancelling. This list begins with a minimum and progresses along the continuum to the most background noise-cancelling offered.

Voice Tube/Sound Tube/Omnidirectional

Each manufacturer uses different terminology for this type of microphone, which carries sound from your mouth to a microphone that's housed in the ear of the headset. This design allows for headsets to be manufactured at a reduced cost; the drawback is that the mic does not have any noise-cancelling technologies.

The microphone is equally sensitive to sound from all directions, so that background noises will be picked up and transmitted by this microphone; the headset user's voice may be difficult to hear because of this. Sound enters on one side of the diaphragm only. (All microphones have a diaphragm, so that when the diaphragm vibrates, it causes other components in the microphone to vibrate. These vibrations are converted into an electrical current which turns into the audio signal.)

The voice/sound tube or omnidirectional microphone style is ideal if you occupy your own private office with little to no background noise.

Jabra Biz 2410, Plantronics DuoSet H141 and Sennheiser SH 200

Noise-Cancelling

The next step on the continuum is Noise-Cancelling. This microphone design eliminates the majority of background noise. Upgrading to a noise-cancelling microphone is well worth the minimal extra dollars, if your environment tends to have area noise. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is one technology used to largely reduce background noise, enhancing understanding as well as efficiency of calls. Colleagues, wind and other ambient noises are filtered out and therefore not transmitted to your caller through the microphone.

Noisy contact centers, open concept office environments and mobile workers are great candidates for these noise-cancelling microphones.

Ultra Noise-Cancelling microphones offer absolutely the best noise cancelling technology on the market. The placement of the micron components have been moved away from the entrance to the diaphragm, so the openings on both sides of the diaphragm are symmetrical. The effect is a near-elimination of background noise.

Take note that these microphones do tend to be a bit sensitive in regard to microphone positioning. The microphone should always be positioned precisely near the mouth in order to avoid the headset cancelling out all sounds - including the user's voice!

These microphones are best for extremely noisy contact centers and offices.

The Sennheiser Presence UC Bluetooth headset brings Sennheiser sound quality and unique technologies together in a sleek device to offer some of the best noise-cancelling properties available on the market today! The durability of the Presence cannot be understated; boasting a petite frame (2"x .75" x .91") and compact design, it fits in the palm of your hand, and can be tucked into corners of purses, briefcases, or pockets, with no fear of damage. (A small, hard-sided carry case is included with the Presence UC.) Its discreet profile is perfect for those who want the convenience of a Bluetooth headset, but don't necessarily want to "show off" their device.

How does it work?

Plug and play connectivity assures easy set-up and immediate use. To pair the headset to your mobile phone, press in the multi-function button at the top of the device, and at the same time, slide the on/off power slide away from the headset to turn the headset on. Release the button and it is in pairing mode. "Power On. Pairing," the friendly Sennheiser voice says. The light on the device flashes red, then blue, in pairing mode. Enable the Bluetooth visibility on your mobile phone. From the found Bluetooth devices, select "Presence" to establish a Bluetooth connection to the headset. The Presence is equipped with the most updated version of Bluetooth 4.0.

Connecting to the computer is just as easy: place the dongle in a USB port and the Presence is ready to use for softphones, webinars, podcasts, or listening to music, providing a rich listening experience. Seamlessly switch between mobile phone and computer with ease. You can talk all day on the Presence, because the battery holds a charge of 10 hours (narrowband sound) and 8 hours (wideband).

It's simple to answer and end phone calls: slide the aluminum microphone boom arm open to answer; then slide back to end the call. Managing calls from the headset is a snap with 3-way calling and voice prompts that provide instant status updates, such as the caller's name as they are ringing in.

Talk and walk up to 82 feet (25 meters) away from your computer and 33 feet (10 meters) from mobile phone—you've got that freedom. Another neat feature: iPhone users have real time battery monitoring for the Presence.

The Presence is equipped with Sennheiser ActiveGard® hearing protection technology: sound spikes and acoustic surges won't bother your calls or ears! The SpeakFocus™ technology enhances speech clarity, and WindSafe™ technology reduces wind noise in outdoor environments. These technologies, along with three strategically placed microphones, deliver sound performance that is almost too good to be true.

We tested the Presence in the exhibit hall at the 2013 Annual SOCAP Conference. When our tester called in to the office, she sounded as close to us as if she was sitting at her desk. And we didn't hear any of the noise associated with hundreds of people talking in the background!

"Using the Sennheiser Presence UC headset was a wonderful experience. It was comfortable, fit well, and most importantly, provided premium audio quality. I don't typically wear Bluetooth Headsets, but when I do, I wear the Presence UC." - Sara Diaz, Account Development Manager at Avcomm.

Many of us have spoken with colleagues or customers who are calling in from the road, in their car or passing through a busy airport while using a Bluetooth headset. And, I think we can all agree that many times the poor quality of those calls can be downright unbearable. That's what we absolutely love about the Sennheiser Presence. The user's voice is clearly transmitted and at the same time, almost all of their area noise is canceled out.

The Presence offers two wearing styles: over-the-ear with the included ear hook, or placed directly in the ear. Wearers who prefer the in-the-ear style can choose from the 4 ear sleeves of varying sizes to attach to the earpiece; or may find that an ear sleeve isn't necessary. When we tested, we found that the Presence was perfect without an ear sleeve, and the device remained securely in the ear.

Although you may find the price to be slightly higher than similar headsets in the market, we think the Presence is well worth the extra dollars and with a 2-year warranty, provides peace of mind! The rest of the world agrees: the Presence UC was recently honored with the German Funkschau IKT-Produkte 2013 award in business headsets, and named Best in Test by Swedish Telekomidag in wireless headsets for UC.